8 Aug 2012

Religion and I-Taukei rights among strong themes presented to Fiji Constitution Commission

12:59 pm on 8 August 2012

Fiji's Constitution Commission chairman Yash Ghai says indigenous people's rights and freedom of religion are among the strongest themes surfacing so far at its hearings in Suva.

The Commission has begun hearing submissions as part of work towards writing a new constitution before elections in 2014.

Professor Ghai says the Commission has been hearing on average 25 submissions a day.

He says people have also been concerned about government structure.

"Most people want a directly elected president even though they support a parliamentary system whereas some others are saying it's time we tried another system. The one they recommend is a US-type presidency."

Professor Ghai says social justice and rights for the disabled are also featuring in submissions so far.